After difficult week, Matthews ready to return as Leafs look to rebound

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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After missing three games with an undisclosed injury, forward Auston Matthews will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers.

"It's been a little bit difficult trying to work through it," the 24-year-old centre admitted. "We got a great staff here and the communication's been great ... I feel comfortable getting back in tonight."

The injury was sustained during last Saturday's 5-4 overtime over the Ottawa Senators.

"Just an awkward little collision," Matthews revealed. "Nothing too crazy. Just kind of put myself in a bit of an awkward spot."

It was only after the adrenaline of that overtime win against the Senators wore off that Matthews realized the significance of the issue.

Matthews will have to manage the situation the rest of the season, but didn't seem too concerned. 

"It's something I think I can work through," he said. "We've done a good job of helping it feel better."

The Leafs did not hold a practice on Friday, but Matthews hit the ice to test things out.

"He wouldn't be playing if he wasn't at the point where he's feeling good," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "He's not playing through anything today. He's feeling good, but any player that gets any sort of injury where they have to miss time, they're on a program of managing that situation the rest of the season ... We hope the way he feels today is how he continues to feel the rest of the way."

The team will see how Matthews responds after Saturday's game before deciding if he will also play on Sunday against the Washington Capitals.

"He feels really good today," Keefe stressed. "We talked about the fact that we do play again tomorrow and you could take the day, but he really